I realize I haven’t posted since May 28th.  It became almost impossible to post on a regular basis while in Uganda.  The emotions and lack of electricity at odd times contributed to my not being able to post.  It was tough to sit and type how I really felt and still feel.  However, I did have enough sense to keep notes on a daily basis and will try to continue to post as my memories serve me.  I know that eventually that I have no choice to write a bookabout my crazy existence before my trip, how I managed to stay alive durning Katrina, my experiences in Africa and how I was led there by an ALMIGHTY power for HIS purposes and glory.  I am posting lots of pictures on my Facebook page and will attempt to upload some video on YouTube.  I have already decided that I will make a yearly journey to Uganda.  I have no choice.  The people I met there are so real and loving that I have to go back and visit annually.

How many times have you heard the television ads that claim that only $1 a day can change the life of a child in Africa?  I know that I’ve heard that commercial SO many times and immediately changed the channel.  I always thought to myself, “Yeah, right!  It’s just a scam!”  . . . and I’m sure that sometimes it is.  However, yesterday when I went to Hopeland Middle School in the village of  Bugiri, I saw just exactly what a dollar can do.  It is a school which is operated by YOFAFO.  We arrived and I was sitting outside with Peter, a social worker employed by the organization.  Some of the children had been brought out of class to write letters to their sponsors.  As one of the teachers approached, he was pushing an old wooden wheel-chair.  There was no one in the seat.  I saw a figure perched on the foot rest.  What I saw as the chair grew closer simply astonished me!  It was an older boy of about 14 or 15 with a horribly deformed body.  I would guess that his entire body weighs no more than 60 or 70 pounds.   I tried not to stare as he approached.  Valence  told the teacher to take him back to the classroom as his sponsorship money had not arrived and there was no one for him to write to.  It’s hard to believe that someone would make such a commitment to a child and not follow through!   I saw the look of disappointment in his eyes and I asked them to let me meet him and to go ahead and fill out a new details form for him.  I listened as Peter interviewed him.  Paul is not exactly sure of his age. . . he was abandoned by his parents at 2 or 3 years of age, as they believed that his “illness” would “rub off” on the rest of the family.  His grandparents took him in and have cared for him until January when his grandfather died.  He now lives with his grandmother.  As I listened to the interview, I realized just how smart and intelligent this young man is.  After all, I guess if you have very limited use of your body, what else do you have to work with other than your brain?   When the interview was finished, I offered to push him back to his classroom.  As I took him back, I really had to control my emotions.  After I got him settled, Peter and I were walking back to the hut outside and was discussing his condition.  When we got to a turning point on the path, all of a sudden the tears started flowing.  Peter went one direction and I went another.  I almost ran off into the bush and hid from all and sobbed like a baby!  We were told in our orientation that if we had to cry, do it away from the children.  If they saw us crying, they would think that they had done something wrong or offended us.  I stayed out of sight for about 15 – 20 minutes crying and praying.  I had to come to my senses and “get a grip” so that I could continue preparing for my speech.  I went back, got it together, and finished my notes.  When we walked to the classroom where I was to be speaking, wouldn’t you know!?!  It was Paul’s class.  I spoke for about 25 minutes and once I got started, it was all good.  Peter videoed the majority of it and said that it appeared that I had been publicly speaking for years.  I have to admit, once I got started, it all seemed to flow out naturally and easily.  I was a little nervous at the beginning, but actually started to enjoy it as I noticed that I had the full attention of my audience.  At the end, I told them to write any questions that they might have and put them in an envelope.  Some of the questions they asked are simply amazing.  I will return to the class room next Thursday and answer them.  I will also meet with Paul and question him more in depth about his lifetime goals.  Hmmmm. . . . . guess now I have a child in Africa as I have no doubt whatsoever that I will be his sponsor.  After all, I’m sure that I can give up a coke or a sandwich off the $1 value menu at McDonald’s every day for Paul!

Children in Kitoola

Valance and I working on Liziyo's new home!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a week since I’ve posted to this journal!  I have been very busy.  Last Saturday was spent relaxing and then traveling to Kampala with Valance and the volunteer group from North Carolina to go to church Saturday night.  We attended a service at Wotoso, formerly Kampala Pentecostal Church.  I stayed overnight with my friend James Galloway and his son Christian and attended church service Sunday morning in the village of Kyampisi.  He preached a very inspiring sermon and also told them about GOD’s awesome way of bringing me specifically to Uganda through the death of my nephew John.  It was definitely a “spirit-filled” service!  The people there hunger for GOD’s word.  Monday and Tuesday were spent mudding the walls at Loziyo’s new home.  All that is left now is putting up a door and some final finishing touches.  The man is so grateful for his new home.  I have chosen to purchase a mattress for the make-shift cot that he has for a bed.  After all . . . what is $20 USD for this man to rest more comfortably?  I will present it to him Sunday as a “house-warming” gift when he moves into his  new home!  He is so kind and gracious.  He really touched my heart the other day when he hobbled inside his “house” and brought out a small stool for me to sit on and visit with him.  I felt very undeserving of his kindness.  We joked with him that now that he has a new house, maybe he can find a wife!  He responded that he was looking for a “muzungu” wife!  Yesterday was spent in Bulumaji, the village where YOFAFO operates it micro-finance.  I met with a gentleman that volunteers there in his home village counseling, dispensing HIV meds, and trying to educate his own about the disease.  We discussed issues about the stigmas that exists and the fears of the HIV+ people there in the village of others finding out and alienating them.  We have decided that I will secretly meet with some of them next Wednesday so that I may encourage them and hopefully inspire them to keep fighting.  The statistics in that one particular village are staggering!  Of the approximately 2,300 residents, almost 1/3 of them are HIV+ or have AIDS!  There are quite a few grandmothers there caring for their grandchildren as they have lost their children to AIDS.  Some of them are trying to care for 6 or 8 children!  Imagine how tough that must be.  My respect for Valance grows every day.  YOFAFO has purchased land in the village with future plans for a health care clinic there.  He is also overseeing the building of a new YOFAFO headquarters as he now operates out of a tiny office here in his home.  I have seen the completion of a teacher’s quarters building  in Kitoola as well as the progress of building new school rooms in the Children’s Village.  YOFAFO oversees the care of over 500 orphans with applications for more coming in daily!  8 acres were donated to YOFAFO by the local community.  Valance has a vision of purchasing a tractor and accessories so that the land may be farmed.  The tractor will help produce food for the orphans and an excess of product that will be sold to help finance YOFAFO’s operations.  I have decided that I will try to help him raise finances for the tractor.  He has a U.S. tax ID # so donations will be tax-deductible.  There is no way possible to estimate how a tractor could effect the lives of so many!  Today, Thursday,  I will be helping do intake forms for some of the sponsored children with Peter, a social worker that works with YOFAFO.  Please continue to support me as I try to make a difference in the lives of these innocent children!

The past couple of days have been spent building a new home for an elderly gentleman in Kitoola, Valance’s home village.  This incredible man was abandoned by his family some years back and was adopted by the locals.  His home was thrown up hastily by his relatives before they left him.  The simple 2 room structure is comprised of a thatched roof and mudded walls.  We have jumped in with the local community and began building his new home.  Soft wood is cut by machetes into poles and used for basic support.  Bamboo-like sticks comprise the “cross beams” for the walls.  The next step involves weaving reeds through the beams, mudding the walls, and adding a tin roof to keep him and his meager possessions dry  Loziyo eyes are covered by cataracts, his toes are rotted away, and his little finger is missing on one of his hands, yet he is so looking forward to moving into his new home.  He smiles with pleasure as we talk to him and tells us he was born in 1926.  He hobbled inside to get hisnvoter’s registration card to prove his age to us.  This is the first experience on this trip that has made me walk away and cry.  It hurts my heart that we, as Americans, sometimes discard our elders because we are “too busy” to attend them.  I ache to speak the language here because I would absolutely LOVE to hear the many incredible stories that I’m sure this wise man could share with us!

Children at work in Kitoola

It’s 7:30 a.m. Thursday in Lugazi.  It’s amazing to hear the beginning of a new day coming to life here.  As I watch and listen to the people starting a new day, what strikes me the most is the difference in how the children here wake up and immediately go to work.  They obviously realize that if they want to eat that day they must do their share of the workload.  I see their toys. . . a blown up plastic bag used as a ball, an old bicycle tire rolled along with the use of a stick, a discarded plastic bottle and stones used as a rattle. . . . and it makes me realize just how spoiled as Americans that we really are!  Tuesday was spent in Kitoola, Valence’s home village, painting 3 rooms that are to be used as teacher’s quarters.  The children watch shyly from a distance.  Some of them have never seen a “muzungu” and are amazed.  Some of the infants actually start crying and run!  It is amusing and heart touching to watch the terrified look go across their face when they first see me.  I’ve been told that we are used to threaten them when they behave badly as we use the “boogey man” to threaten our children in the U.S.  I have also been talking with Peter, a social worker that helps deal with child and women issues here.  There are stories of child sacrifices that still occur here.  The wealthy men here are sometimes known to sacrifice their youngest child in hopes of gaining more riches.  It is a practice that had died out, but seems to be making a resurgence within the past couple of years.  “The love of money is the root of all evil!”  Yesterday was spent working with Peter in Bulumagi observing and working with the micro-finance program that YOFAFO has there.  It is very simple banking that allows even the poorest to borrow small sums of money with a tiny interest rate yet allow them to have a savings account at the same time.  I was served jack fruit for the first time.  It was brought to me by a woman on her knees.  It feels odd to be served in such manner, but yet it is a part of African culture.  It is a gesture of utmost respect.  Even the youngest girls are taught this practice.  I definitely don’t feel deserving!  The children were absolutely beautiful and were so excited for a “muzungu” to bring them even the smallest of gifts. . . stickers and skip ropes.  They are so easily amused and their smiles and laughter will remain in my memories forever!  I wore myself out jumping rope and playing with them.  My legs are so sore this morning!  LOL!  Gotta go for now. . . . it’s the beginning of a new day and lots to be done!  I am constantly thanking GOD for bringing me to this beautiful land and people!

Hi All! It’s almost 5 p.m. here in Lugazi.  I’m working with YOFAFO.  I’m staying at the home of the founder with

Rebekah and child

Children at YOFAFO in Kitoola

him and his wonderful family.  Today was the first day of  “work”.  Basically, I was given a tour of the projects that this awesome man oversees.  He is very much dedicated to his cause.  I met some of the local children today in Lugazi town and some of the teachers that teach the children at “Hope for Africa, The Children’s Village.”  They were preparing their lesson plans for the beginning of school next Monday.  It is a common belief here in Africa that HIV/AIDS doesn’t affect “muzungus”, the white man.  I will be doing quite a bit of public speaking here in churches and local organizations trying to educate, motivate and inspire the beautiful people here.  Overall, these are shy people, but once you smile at them, the smiles that light up their faces are incredibly welcoming and joyous.  I feel very welcomed here and look forward to making a positive differece in their lives!

It’s 9:00 a.m. in Entebee on Friday.  The trip was long and exhausting, but yet exciting.  Foreign travel has definately changed since 2002.  I slept well last night and was very welcomed.  I woke up this morning with the exotic sounds of the wildlife here.  I’m at Entebee Backpackers until I leave later today for Mukono.  I’ve already got pictures of monkeys and some pretty wild looking birds.  I will try to download them later.  Just a quick post to let you guys know I’m here safely and I love you all!

It’s  6:45 a.m.  I finally got to the airport!  My first leg of the flight is delayed until 7:20.  Getting through security was easy enough.  No problems whatsoever with any of my bags.  I am SO ready to get this trip started!  Honestly, I haven’t rested too much in the last few days.  I’ve just been too wound up and excited!  The time has come to ”git ‘er done!”  I owe so many people so many thanks for helping make this dream/mission become a reality!  I assure you GOD will bless you for your time and efforts!  I love you guys!  I will post again ASAP when I arrive in Mukono and have internet acces!

A little over 72 hours and I’ll be on my way to the airport!  I’m trying to remain calm and focused as I continue readying myself for the trip of a lifetime! Shopping for necessary items has not even started yet . . . . which means that not 1 bag has been packed yet . . . . which means that DAVID is trying not to STRESS-OUT!  LOL!  Actually, things are coming together at a steady pace!  Tonight was such a blessing.  My best friend Eddie saved me again as usual!  She was here along with another very close friend, Justus, helping me “buckle-down” and “git ‘r done!”  The LOVE, support, and true-to-life friendship this incredible woman has given me over the past 12 or so years has helped sustain my life in so many ways!  She is by my side with heart and soul no matter which endeavors I may pursue.  She encourages me at just the right time as well as jumps in and “makes it happen” when needed.  I pray that everyone may be blessed with such a true best friend as I have been blessed with her as mine!  She has been such a major part of making this dream happen!

I realize it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted but I’ve been extremely busy with work and trying to prepare for this awesome journey.  I’ve almost completed everything necessary to be ready for travel.  Pretty much all is done except for shopping for the necessary items needed to survive there . . . clothing, insect repellent, first aid supplies, and anti-malarial meds are just a few of the items left to purchase or obtain before I leave.  My VISA should arrive within the next couple of days.  Church today was such a blessing.  I got a chance to practice my public speaking tonight at Communion Service as I made a testimony of what GOD has done in my life.  My family and my best friends were there and it meant so much to me for them to witness my faith and to see how my church honestly and truly love and support me.  I have to admit . . . I’m somewhat nervous, yet excited at the same time.  I KNOW deep inside that I will be OK simply because GOD is leading me to Uganda.  I feel that my family and friends are more worried about me than I am.  I know that the people there will teach me SO much more than I will be able to teach them!  I am trying my best to learn as much as possible about their culture and language.  The last thing I want to do is insult them.  I pray on a daily basis that I will represent GOD as HE deserves and that I will make a very positive difference in their lives.  Please continue me in your prayers!